Co-op Connection News May, 2014

CO-OPS

Growing Democratic Economies AND Community Wealth Excerpted from

10

the BY

WAYS TO DEMOCRATIZE

ECONOMY

GAR ALPEROVITZ

AND

KEANE BHATT

T

HE RICHEST 400 AMERICANS NOW OWN MORE WEALTH THAN THE BOTTOM 180 MILLION TAKEN TOGETHER. The political system is in deadlock. Social and economic pain continue to grow. Environmental devastation and global warming present growing challenges. Is there any path toward a more democratic, equal and ecologically sustainable society? What can one person do?

Building Egalitarian Wealth There is a great deal one person working with others can do. Experiments across the country already focus on concrete actions that point toward a larger vision of long-term systemic change – especially the development of alternative economic institutions. Practical problem-solving activities on Main Streets across the country have begun to lay down the elements and principles of what might one day become the direction of a new system – one centered around building egalitarian wealth, nurturing democracy and community life, avoiding climate catastrophe and fostering liberty through greater economic security and free time.

Margaret Mead famously observed: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Of the ten steps, the five excerpted below may be too big for one person to take on in isolation, but many are exactly the right size for a small and thoughtful group committed to building a new economy, restoring democracy and displacing corporate power.

As the history of the civil rights movement, women’s movement, and gayliberation movement ought to remind us, it’s precisely actions of this sort at the local level that have triggered the seismic shifts of progressive change in American history.

Democratize Your Money!

Put your money in a credit union – then participate in its governance. Unlike the large commercial and investment banks responsible for the 2008 financial crisis, credit unions are nonprofit cooperatives that are member-owned and controlled. These democratized, one-person-one-vote banks already involve more than 95 million Americans as participant-owners. Taken together, they hold roughly $1 trillion of assets – the equivalent of one of the largest US banks, knocking Goldman Sachs out of the top five.

While many older credit unions have become quite cautious, it is also clear that collective efforts to direct capital in their communities can work. In Washington, for example, activists from the small town of Vashon formed an organizing committee that was able to get three seats on the board of the Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union (PSCCU) then worked to open a branch in Vashon. In its first year, the Vashon branch enrolled 16 percent of the population, with local deposits totaling almost $20 million.

Credit unions are an opportunity for activists to build a nationwide, democratic, localized, nonprofit alternative to corporate finance – and, where possible, begin to deprive it of the wealth that has become a stranglehold over our political system.

Triple Bottom Line: Time For Community Ownership!

Help build a worker (producer) or consumer co-op or encourage interested businesses to transition to employee ownership and adopt social and environmental standards as part of their missions.

Worker-owned co-ops bring democracy and democratic ownership into the economy and into community life. Equal Exchange’s 100-plus workerowners generate $50 million of annual sales while pursuing an innovative agenda to make international trade in coffee and other food products more ethical. The WAGES-incubated green housecleaning worker cooperatives in the Bay Area provide critical job security for the immigrant women who work in and own them.

In the next decade, millions of business owners born during the baby boom will retire. If each sells more than 30 percent of their company to the employees, the owner may defer capital gains taxes (provided that the proceeds are invested in US companies). Advocacy for such conversions could be a powerful strategy for building more stable, vibrant workerowned businesses and economies.

Santa Fe

CO-OP MEMORIAL BBQ and benefit

DAY

BARBECUE!

a

Sat., May 24 11:30am-2:30pm

ALL BBQ PROFITS BENEFIT WildEarth Guardians

ENJOY

MUSIC AND IN-STORE NATURAL FOODS SAMPLING.

LOCAL PRODUCTS! MUSIC FROM KITTY JO CREEK BAND

GAR is

COMING

!

Among employee-owned institutions, co-ops allow for the most democracy. Namasté Solar in Boulder, Colorado – a $15 millionplus-a-year solar energy services firm – converted to an employee-owned cooperative at the beginning of 2011. Its workers own the firm equally and manage its operations on a one-vote-perperson basis. Its worker-owners in their mission statement declare, “We choose co-ownership over hierarchy, democratic decision-making over centralized leadership, sustainable growth over aggressive expansion, and collaboration over competition.”

They benefit from transparency of all company information, a 4to-1 cap on the ratio of highest-to-lowest pay, and six weeks of paid vacation.

Demand Participatory Budgeting: Take Back Local Government Organize your community so that local government spending is determined by inclusive neighborhood deliberations on key priorities. Participatory budgeting (PB), pioneered in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre in 1989, is a bottom-up process through which community members collectively decide how their local tax money is spent. While Porto Alegre’s initiative involved up to 50,000 people and 20 percent of the city’s annual budget, (PB)

BORN of the people, OWNED by the people, WORKS for the people

Nationally, nonprofit hospitals report annual revenues of more than $650 billion and assets of $875 billion. The integration of hospitals, universities and other anchors into a long-term vision for a community-sustaining economy is a significant development. In the University Circle area of Cleveland, such institutions spend $3 billion on goods and services each year. An integrated group of worker-owned companies has been developed, supported in part by that purchasing power. The Cleveland co-ops offer laundry and solar services and run the largest urban greenhouse in the United States. The aim is to create new community-owned businesses, year by year, as time goes on.

You can utilize an important provision of the Affordable Care Act (often referred to as “Obamacare”) – Section 9007 – which requires every nonprofit hospital complete a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years, to engage the local community regarding its general health problems and to explain how the hospital intends to address them.

The goal is not simply worker ownership but the democratization of wealth and community building in general. If your community suffers while big nonprofit institutions enjoy generous tax breaks or receive public funding, get organized to push these institutions to use their economic power to benefit the community, following models now emerging in many parts of the country.

Reclaim Your Neighborhood With Democratic Development!

Build community power through economic development and community land trusts. Community Development Corporations (CDCs) are community-based organizations that anchor capital

SAVE THE DATE! Gar Alperovitz on Growing Economic Democracy and Community Wealth at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

GAR ALPEROVITZ OCTOBER 18

Gar Alperovitz, author of America Beyond Capitalism, Unjust Desserts, and his newest book, What Then Must We Do? will be in Albuquerque on Oct. 18 for La Montanita Co-op’s Annual Membership Meeting. Gar has been an international leader in re-imagining our economic system for greater justice and equity for one and all.o

has been adapted to the differing contexts of 1,500 other municipalities worldwide, from small towns in Europe and Africa to bustling metropolises like Buenos Aires and São Paulo.

PB has now arrived in the United States. In 2009, committed organizers partnered with Chicago Alderman Joe Moore to institute the country’s first PB initiative and were able to direct more than $1 million of the ward’s discretionary funds toward their top projects. In New York City, communities and local government officials have followed suit, committing $10 million in taxpayer money to the process. In 2012, the City Council of Vallejo, California, instituted the first citywide process of this kind in the country.

As the Participatory Budgeting Project argues, the process contributes to more robust self-governance, greater transparency, better-informed citizens, more equitable access to decision making and spending, and real community building in the neighborhood – a central unit of democratic life.

Lawmakers who have embraced participatory budgeting have found it to be enormously popular with their constituents across the US. Educate and encourage your city council member to take the plunge into direct democracy!

Push Local Anchors To Do Their Part!

Make nonprofit institutions like universities and hospitals use their resources to fight poverty, unemployment and global warming. By encouraging these anchor institutions to play a responsible role in their local communities, activists often can influence and partner with them to solve social, economic, environmental and health issues.

Higher education as a sector employs a workforce of nearly 4 million, enrolls 21 million students, retains more than $400 billion of assets, and contributes $460 billion of annual activity to the US economy. If you are a student or a member of the surrounding community, you can help organize campaigns to deploy university assets toward local job and wealth creation, education, housing and the provision of healthy food for lowincome residents in the area.

locally, usually in low-income areas, through the development of residential and commercial property, ranging from affordable housing to shopping centers and even businesses. Roughly 4,600 CDCs operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and they have created tens of thousands of units of affordable housing and millions of square feet of commercial and industrial space a year.

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit entities that operate in more than 200 communities and have helped produce close to 10,000 units of low-cost housing nationwide by taking land off the market and placing it in a trust. Most CLTs lease homes to residents. And by retaining the majority of the home equity gained over time, the trust is able to continue to make homes available to new members at affordable, below-market prices. Like CDCs, land trust boards are typically composed of at least one-third land-trust residents.

The Alliance to Develop Power (ADP) in Springfield, Massachusetts, began as a small nonprofit fighting local displacement – until its members decided: “We want to own stuff too, not just fight people who own stuff.” The organization mobilized renters in a large-scale campaign and bought 1,200 units of housing from private owners, making it the largest block of tenant-controlled housing in the United States. The democratically governed, multimillion-dollar organization subsequently embarked on an effort to build a “community economy,” leveraging its ownership of property to anchor and incubate businesses whose surpluses go back into ADP’s programming – including advocacy on behalf of the whole community.

As ADP Executive Director Tim Fisk writes, “We are attempting to not just push back and improve individual and community standing within an unequal world, we are attempting to build the world as it should be. A world framed by our own definition of community values and shared prosperity.”

The above article was excerpted by Robin Seydel and reprinted with permission from Gar Alperovitz’s book What Then Must We Do? Watch for more of Gar Alperovitz’s writings in upcoming issues of the Co-op Connection.

GMOS in the news La Montanita Cooperative A Community-Owned Natural Foods Grocery Store Nob Hill 7am – 10pm M – Sa, 8am – 10pm Su 3500 Central SE, ABQ, NM 87106 505-265-4631 Valley 7am – 10pm M – Su 2400 Rio Grande NW, ABQ, NM 87104 505-242-8800 Gallup 8am – 8pm M – Sa, 11am – 8pm Su 105 E Coal, Gallup, NM 87301 505-863-5383 Santa Fe 7am – 10pm M – Sa, 8am – 10pm Su 913 West Alameda, Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-984-2852

May 2014 2

KEEP GMO POPLAR TREES OUT

NEW MEXICAN

BY LORRAINE KAHNERATOKWAS GRAY, FOUR BRIDGES PERMACULTURE INSTITUTE f you haven't already seen our Change.org Petition on Facebook, please take a moment to read about a serious problem that we are facing in Espanola, New Mexico. This issue not only affects Espanola but all of Rio Arriba County and Northern New Mexico. GMOs are a

I

COTTONWOOD FORESTS!

of Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL) Communities in support of activities at a Wet Lab owned by LANL. The project would involve planting 80 acres of GMO poplar trees in the heart of agricultural land in Northern New Mexico.

Northern New Mexico has a strong tradition of agriculture that stems back well before European contact. The seeds, food crops, medicines, wild plants and trees are sacred, and must not be threatened by GMO contamination. Rio Arriba County, Eight Northern Pueblos, All Indian Pueblo Council, and Santa Fe County have all adopted resolutions to keep GMOs out of their communities. New Mexico Senate Memorial 38 also supports the New Mexico Food and Seed Sovereignty Alliance in, "protecting native seeds from genetic contamination." This project would threaten the purity of human, animal and plant life in these communities.

Grab n’ Go 8am – 6pm M – F, 11am – 4pm Sa UNM Bookstore, 2301 Central SW, ABQ, NM 87131 505-277-9586 Westside 7am – 10pm M – Su 3601 Old Airport Ave, ABQ, NM 87114 505-503-2550 Cooperative Distribution Center 9am – 5pm, M – F 901 Menaul NE, ABQ, NM 87107 505-217-2010 Administration Offices 9am – 5pm, M – F 901 Menaul NE, ABQ, NM 87107 505-217-2001 Administrative Staff: 217-2001 TOLL FREE: 877-775-2667 (COOP) • General Manager/Terry Bowling 217-2020 terryb@lamontanita.coop • Controller/John Heckes 217-2029 johnh@lamontanita.coop • Computers/Info Technology/ David Varela 217-2011 tech@lamontanita.coop • Operations Manager/Bob Tero 217-2028 bobt@lamontanita.coop • Human Resources/Sharret Rose 217-2023 hr@lamontanita.coop • Marketing/Edite Cates 217-2024 editec@lamontanita.coop • Membership/Robin Seydel 217-2027 robins@lamontanita.coop • CDC/MichelleFranklin 217-2010 mf@lamontanita.coop Store Team Leaders: • Valerie Smith/Nob Hill 265-4631 valeries@lamontanita.coop • John Mulle/Valley 242-8800 jm@lamontanita.coop • William Prokopiak/Santa Fe 984-2852 willpro@lamontanita.coop • Michael Smith/Gallup 575-863-5383 michaels@lamontanita.coop • Joe Phy/Westside 505-503-2550 josephp@lamontanita.coop Co-op Board of Directors: email: bod@lamontanita.coop • President: Martha Whitman • Vice President: Marshall Kovitz • Secretary: Ariana Marchello • Treasurer: Susan McAllister • Lisa Banwarth-Kuhn • Jake Garrity • Leah Rocco • Jessica Rowland • Betsy VanLeit Membership Costs: $15 for 1 year/ $200 Lifetime Membership Co-op Connection Staff: • Managing Editor: Robin Seydel robins@lamontanita.coop 217-2027 • Layout and Design: foxyrock inc • Cover/Centerfold: Co-op Marketing Dept.

• Advertising: Sarah Wentzel-Fisher • Editorial Assistant: Sarah Wentzel-Fisher sarahwf@lamontanita.coop 217-2016 • Printing: Vanguard Press Membership information is available at all four Co-op locations, or call 217-2027 or 877-775-2667 email: robins@lamontanita.coop website: www.lamontanita.coop Membership response to the newsletter is appreciated.

Email the Managing Editor, robins@lamontanita.coop

OF

threat to our communities all over the earth, and through pollen drift can contaminate your hometown at any moment. We need to stand together to speak out against GMOs. A scientist from Washington State University wants to plant genetically engineered poplar trees along the Rio Grande on the north side of Espanola that will produce 2-phenylethanol, which will simulate a substance similar to rose oil. It is used in foods, candies, flavored teas, sodas, alcoholic drinks, lotions, soaps, pharmaceuticals, toothpastes, chewing gum, cosmetics and powders.

Keith Jones is partnering in the project with Norman Lewis, director of Washington State's Institute of Biological Chemistry, to form a company called Ealasid, Inc. This company is working in conjunction with the Regional Coalition

COMING UP FOR A VOTE IN

ABQ

GMO LABELING

BY LARS PANARO, FOOD AND WATER WATCH NM n mid-April, City Councilman Isaac Benton, District 2, and co-sponsor Diane Gibson, District 7, introduced a memorial in the Albuquerque City Council that would support labeling of genetically engineered foods (GMOs) on a statewide and national level. The memorial was drafted with the support of the national consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch and is strongly backed by a diverse coalition of over 50 organizations and businesses in New Mexico, including La Montanita Food Co-op, Dragon Farm, ProgressNowNM and Marchers Against Monsanto.

I

If passed, Albuquerque will join the city of Santa Fe in giving people more transparency about whether or not their food contains GMOs. Since most processed foods contain some derivative of GMO corn, soybean or cotton, the City of Albuquerque would support labeling these products under this memorial.

“Labeling will give us the data we need to draw solid conclusions about GE foods, and it will give consumers the ability to make fully informed decisions about what we are eating and feeding our families,” said memorial sponsor Benton.

“Right now, the companies that stand to profit from genetic engineering are making those decisions for us.”

We need to set a precedent in our cities, counties, states, the entire country, North America and the world. Our health and the health of our Mother Earth is more important than the profitability of major corporations, including those that run our national labs. Join Rio Arriba County in taking a stand against GMO Poplar trees.

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION TO STOP EASALID and the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities from contaminating agricultural lands and one of the largest and last remaining cottonwood forests in the world with their GMO poplar tree project in Espanola, New Mexico.

For more information, to provide support and sign the petition, contact Lorraine Kahneratokwas Gray, Four Bridges Traveling Permaculture Institute at Four Bridges Traveling Permaculture Institute: e-mail fourbridges@live.com, phone 518-332-3156 or go to www.4bridges.org.

“It’s our right as citizens to know what is in our food,” said memorial co-sponsor Gibson. “In a democracy, corporations should not have special privileges that make it difficult for the average consumer to have transparency in what they consume.

Labeling will give us the data we need to draw solid conclusions about GMO foods, and it will give consumers the ability to make fully informed decisions about what we are eating and feeding our families.”

Labeling GMOs is not a novel idea. Citizen-led campaigns have successfully gotten legislation introduced in more than 20 states.

Ballot initiatives in California and Washington were narrowly defeated by multi-million-dollar campaigns waged by big food corporations. For years, polls have shown that the majority of Americans want genetically engineered foods labeled, just as they are in more than 60 other countries, including the entire European Union, China, Japan and Russia.

“The impact of genetically engineered foods goes beyond consumer health. It also threatens the livelihood of farmers that grow non-GMO crops since GMO seed and the GMO-related pesticides can contaminate neighboring fields.” said Eleanor Bravo, Southwest Organizer for Food and Water Watch.

“Consumers should be able to decide for themselves if genetically engineered foods should be fed to their families.”

The memorial was heard in the Finance and Government Operations Committee on April 28 and will head to the full City Council for a vote on May 19. The memorial can be viewed here: http://fwwat.ch/Q5nToN. For more information and the date of the City Council vote, contact Eleanor Bravo, ebravo@fwwatch.org, 505-633-7366.

action alert

SUPPORT

GMO LABELING!

Copyright ©2014 La Montanita Co-op Supermarket Reprints by prior permission.

The Co-op Connection is printed on 65% post-consumer recycled paper. It is recyclable.

Come to voice your support for ABQ’s GMO labeling memorial at the City Council Meeting.

Come to the City Council Chambers in downtown ABQ May 19 at 5:30pm. For more info call: 505-633-7366 or email ebravo@fwwatch.org.

CO-OP

YOU OWN IT

MAY 19 @ 5:30PM

JUNE

concern for community

May 2014 3

VETERAN FARMER PROJECT

WORKSHOP PREPPING MARKET GARDEN PRODUCE May 15, 3pm

FOR

SALE

AT THE VETERAN FARMER PROJECT GARDENS AT THE ALVARADO URBAN FARM, DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE BETWEEN GOLD AND SILVER AND FIRST AND SECOND STREETS

Ro D’Attilio is the produce manager at the Rio Grande Co-op. She regularly purchases both from national and regional distributors as well as small local market gardeners. With years of experience, let Ro show you what produce purchasers look for when you come knocking on their door. She will give you the inside scoop on how to present your produce for sales in a variety of settings, and what to do during and post harvest to ensure your products look as good as they taste.

Learn from Ro D’Attilio, with her almost ten years of experience in the local produce movement, what it takes to market your home grown produce successfully. Find out how to navigate the intricacies of post harvest handling and packing that grocery purchasers, chefs and farm stand customers want and expect.

This workshop is open to all Veterans and active duty personnel, and space permitting, the larger community. To register go to www.lamontanita.coop or call 505-217-2027.

BAG CREDIT

RAPE

DONATION

ORGANIZATION

OF THE MONTH: EDITED

ROBIN SEYDEL ith the upswing in cases of domestic violence, assault on college campuses and in the military we are most pleased to offer the Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico as our bag donation organization of the month.

BY

W

The Rape Crisis Center was founded in 1973 by a group of students at the University of New Mexico Law School. In the basement of the Women's Studies program, women set up a hotline to provide support and validation to women who had been sexually assaulted. For thirty-six years, the Rape Crisis Center has provided support and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault, their families and loved ones. During this time, there has been tremendous progress toward acknowledging sexual assault and domestic violence as crimes. Hard battles have led to better definitions of sexual assault, to increased protections for survivors, and to improved systemic response in addressing the crime.

The Rape Crisis Center existed during its first years as a volunteer organization before becoming a funded program of the University of New Mexico in 1979. In 2001, it severed its formal relationship with UNM and became an independent non-profit organization. Currently, the agency has three programs: Crisis Services, Community Education, and Counseling. In 2006, it changed its name to Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico (RCCCNM) to better reflect the scope of services and that it serves Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties.

Over the decades one thing has not changed; their vision to create a world without sexual violence and their mission to provide support and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and abuse while serving as a community resource on issues regarding prevention and awareness of sexual violence.

BEST OF SANTE FE

VOTE CO-OP

CRISIS CENTER Every year, on average, their 24-hour hotline receives approximately 2,000 calls and they see close to 600 people at area hospitals. The counseling department sees, on average, 275 new clients per year, as well as ongoing clients and group therapy participants. The community education and outreach department contacts, on average, 13,000 community members per year.

They recognize that sexual violence is a tool of oppression that will not end until all forms of oppression end. They continue to take action against sexual violence by challenging all forms of oppression, promoting social justice and working to create a culture that is supporting, caring, honest, safe, accessible, and which promotes trust and open communication for self renewal and healing for anyone affected by sexual assault.

HELP IS Available If you are or know someone who has been assaulted, you have options. The Center has advocates available 24 hours a day. Please don't hesitate to call with any questions or if you just need to talk.

The 24-Hour Telephone Crisis Hotline is available 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call 505-266-7711 or 888-811-8282 toll free for assistance regarding sexual assault and abuse issues. TTY Interpretype equipment and interpreters are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Bilingual services are available for Spanish-speaking clients.

Staff and volunteer advocates are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide in-person crisis intervention, support, advocacy, information, and accompaniment to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) program, area hospitals and law enforcement agencies. These crisis intervention advocates respond to several thousand crisis calls annually, providing assistance to hundreds of survivors at the SANE unit and local hospitals.

Volunteer Advocates receive a comprehensive 40-hour training that is offered three times a year and is open to both professionals and community members. Contact the Volunteer Advocate Coordinator for more information about the program and for upcoming training dates at 505-266-7711 or volunteer@rapecrisiscnm.org.

WESTSIDE 3601 Old Airport Ave. NW 505-503-2550

Time to VOTE for the Old A irport Ave.

BEST OF SANTA FE

GO TO: www.sfreporter.com/santafe/bestofsantafe We hope you will vote for La Montanita Co-op for: Best Sandwich - Best Breakfast Burrito - Best Place to Buy Produce

VOTING DEADLINE IS MAY 9

DONATE E your BAG CREDIT! donate

THEDIME!

L A M O N TA N I TA C O - O P ‘ S S A N TA F E L O C AT I O N THANKS THE COMMUNITY FOR ITS ONGOING SUPPORT!

THIS MONTH BAG CREDIT DONATIONS GO TO: The Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico: Providing support and advocacy to survivors of assault and abuse and serving as a resource on the prevention and awareness of assault.

In March your bag credit donations totaling $2,512.07 went to National Institute of Flamenco.

Thank you!

Alamed a Blvd.

Coors Blvd.

Tell the world how!

COOP

DO YOU LOVE YOUR CO-OP?

Old Airport Ave. Co-op Values Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

Co-op Principles 1 Voluntary and Open Membership 2 Democratic Member Control 3 Member Economic Participation 4 Autonomy and Independence 5 Education, Training and Information 6 Cooperation among Cooperatives 7 Concern for Community The Co-op Connection is published by La Montanita Co-op Supermarket to provide information on La Montanita Co-op Supermarket, the cooperative movement, and the links between food, health, environment and community issues. Opinions expressed herein are of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Co-op.

great outdoors!

May 2014 4

ENJOY AND PROTECT OUR

NATURAL PLACES

OF RIVERS AND

TRAILS

TWO GREAT EVENTS CELEBRATE

OPEN SPACE Each spring and summer the Open Space Division, along with our non-profit partner the Open Space Alliance, REI and other local organizations, host two volunteer events that honor and protect our city’s natural places.

Get out it

BY KENT SWANSON, ASSOCIATE PLANNER, CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE OPEN SPACE DIVISION ithin and around our rapidly growing desert city we are blessed with over 29,000 acres of major public open space. The City of Albuquerque Open Space Division, part of Parks and Recreation, is the agency charged with caring for these special places. The Open Space system includes nearly 100 miles of multi-use trails that provide opportunities for low impact recreation, including hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Open Space trails vary widely in terrain and offer access to some of the most unique scenery in and around Albuquerque. Citizens can find Open Space trails in the Sandia Foothills, the east side of the Sandia Mountains, Sandoval County, in Albuquerque's riverside cottonwood bosque, and on the West Mesa. Some of the most visited places in the Open Space system include the Rio Grande Valley State Park (RGVSP) and the Sandia Foothills Open Space.

IN

W

The RGVSP is a 4,300-acre green ribbon of cottonwood forest which extends from Sandia Pueblo in the north through Albuquerque then south to Isleta Pueblo. Popular trail access points on the east side of the Rio Grande include the Alameda/Bachechi Open Space, the Rio del Norte Picnic Area at the Central Avenue Bridge, and the Rio Bravo Riverside Picnic Area. You may also reach the bosque at several points along Tingley Drive. On the west side of the river, the Open Space Visitor Center, located at 6500 Coors Rd. NW, 87120, offers access to a series of beautiful, shaded trails that lead to stunning views of the Rio Grande and Sandia Mountains.

National River Clean Up When: Saturday, May 17, from 8am until 1pm What: During this one-day event volunteers help remove trash from the Rio Grande and its bosque. For more details see www.cabq.gov/openspace. The event is free.

Where: Volunteers will meet on the northwest side of the Rio Grande off of the Central Avenue Bridge and Sunset.

Gallegos/Albert G. Simms Park, south of Academy and east of Tramway, is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders who wish to explore the extensive Foothills trail system. On the north side of the picnic area is the Cottonwood Springs Trail, a wheelchair accessible trail that ends at a wetland and wildlife blind. The Sandia Foothills has additional parking areas and trailheads located east of Tramway from Copper north to Candelaria Road.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF ALBUQUERQUE OPEN SPACE TRAILS AND TRAIL MAPS, check out www.cabq.gov/openspace. Trail maps are also available at the Open Space Visitor Center and at many local bike shops.

The Sandia Foothills Open Space consists of about 2,650 acres of piñonjuniper woodland at the base of the Sandia Mountains. The Elena

NM WILDERNESS

ALLIANCE LET’S GET WILD! T EDITED BY ROBIN SEYDEL he New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection, restoration and continued enjoyment of New Mexico’s wild lands and wilderness areas. Founded in 1997, its mission is achieved through administrative protection, federal wilderness designation and ongoing stewardship. Their organizing efforts span the state and involve many diverse groups, including ranchers, sportsmen, land grants, acequia communities, tribal and religious leaders, scientists, youth and community leaders.

Their quarterly newsletter and their Wild Guide, an almanac of events filled with wilderness anecdotes, art and poetry, educates as it entertains. Youth outreach programs engage young people in stewardship of public lands to promote a healthy future for our lands and

communities. Committed to building community and raising public awareness of wilderness issues, their Let’s Get Wild! program connects citizens to wilderness through hikes and volunteer service projects throughout the state.

National Trails Day When: June 7 from 8am until 1pm Where: The Elena Gallegos/Albert G. Simms Park in the Sandia Foothills. Elena Gallegos is located east of Tramway just north of Academy.

What: Volunteers work on over 10 different projects in the Sandia Foothills Open Space trail systems, including vegetation restoration, trash removal and trail maintenance. The event is free.

Registration is required for both events: All volunteers must register. River Cleanup volunteers are treated to morning refreshments, a door prize drawing and a free after-event picnic. Please carpool as parking is limited! The first 100 volunteers to register for National Trails Day will receive a free T-shirt!

To register see www.rei.com/albuquerque, call 247-1191 or stop by their store located at 1550 Mercantile Ave. (I-25 and Montano). For more information on other volunteer opportunities with Open Space, call 505-452-5200 or visit www. cabq.gov/openspace.

woods, native walnut and giant Arizona sycamore trees, this river corridor is home to a remarkable diversity of birds, fish and mammals. Be sure to bring your “river legs!”

May 31: Rio Grande del Norte Rafting Los Rios River Runners is partnering with the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance for a river raft trip through the recently designated Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Spend a full day on the river in the spectacular Rio Grande Gorge with walls rising to 1,500 feet. After a riverside lunch, head into the rollercoaster Class III rapids of the Racecourse. This will be an excellent trip for those who want to experience the thrill of whitewater, but ease gradually into it. This trip is not recommended for children 12 and under during high water conditions.

PROTECT

AND ENJOY

Upcoming wilderness hikes and adventures are both fun and educational. Check out the ones below and other NMWA events and register to participate on their website at www.nmwild.org.

May 10: Lower San Francisco Canyon Riverine habitat and wetlands make up less than 1 percent of New Mexico’s landscape. Explore some of the finest remaining river country in the state. This somewhat strenuous hike will go to the Lower San Francisco River where it winds its way through a critical wilderness study area. With its towering cliff walls, hot springs, ancient narrow-leaf and Fremont cotton-

June 7-9: Rio Chama Rafting Experience three days and two nights floating down America’s wild and scenic Rio Chama with experts, scientists and philosophers from the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. The 25-mile-long Rio Chama begins in alpine woodlands as a clear, rushing trout stream and ends at the head of Abiquiu Reservoir as a silty, desert river, rolling among rainbow cliffs typical of the Four Corners region. Lovely, wooded campsites and lively, but easy rapids make the Chama one of the best family river outings anywhere. To REGISTER go to www.nmwild.org.

G E T I N T O T H E G R E AT O U T D O O R S !

SHOP

RIVERS RUN THROUGH US

KEEPING THE SANTA FE RIVER ALIVE! The Rivers Run Through Us project invites you to walk the Santa Fe River on Saturday, May 17, to see a collection of “Dreaming Water Houses”—beautiful “signposts” designed by the Rivers artist team, built and sponsored by individuals, organizations, schools, and businesses—that will feature poetry, water declarations, information about rivers and water, and other

information. The day will include organized walks on and near the river between the Water History Museum and the southern City limits. For more information, visit the project website (www.rivers run throughus.net) and/or contact Valerie Martinez at valerie@littleglobe.org.

MAY17

mother’s day special MOTHER’S KITCHEN

HELPERS

BY AMYLEE UDELL hether you work full time outside the home, stay home full time with your children, or do a combination of both, I would wager that NO mom is a woman of leisure.

Even when I have lulls in one area of my life, I am in the kitchen cooking a meal or taking advantage of seasonal abundance and stocking up. I almost always have some project going that helps me at a future meal: stock simmering, beans soaking, or bread rising. I would suspect we all have a handy tool or two that we would claim we just cannot be without and that each of our lists would be different. Here is my list.

2. Rice Cooker. I know one could make a very strong and convincing argument that this appliance is NOT a necessary one. But for me, rice is not done right unless it's done in a rice cooker. Lest you think a rice cooker is just for rice, let me share! First, many rice cookers can be used to reheat leftovers on the Warm setting. I'll often take leftover rice and add broth to make soup, or a cheesy sauce and beans or veggies for a casserole.

When cooking a fresh batch of rice, throw on some sausages as the rice finishes cooking. All rice cookers, even the most basic, can handle other grains, as well.

With a timer or a warm setting, you can wake up to warm oats. Some rice cookers can handle stews, roasts and can steam vegetables. There are many cookers now that are made with stainless steel and even clay.

3. Immersion Blender. While now I do NOT want to live without my blender and food processor, I have managed in the past. I've gotten used to their speed and enjoy the luxury of extra time they provide.

MAKE IT EASY

FOR MOM !

And one type of soup mix. Good quality hot dogs (stored in the freezer) also help me out in a tight spot.

8. The internet. Yep. As much as I appreciate old fashioned ways I'm a modern gal. I like knowing I can grab three bags of some obscure discounted vegetable and look up how to prepare and process it. Or post a question about said veggie on Facebook and receive a variety of replies from which to choose. I like learning how to spot treat or tincture or repair or just read how another mom handles her best and worst parent moments.

W

1. Crockpot. I've written extensively about my love affair with my crockpot. It helps me return home after a busy day to a fully prepared meal. It helps me make huge batches of beans and baked potatoes. It scents my home overnight with delicious breakfast smells and greets me with a hot breakfast, even if I'm still groggy.

It makes homemade broth a nourishing and easy staple. It WORKS hard for me; I cannot be without it.

May 2014 5

Honorable mentions might be: Dehydrator, yogurt maker, plastic storage bags (c'mon—you know they're handy for some things!), mason jars, silicone spatulas, or stoneware. I suppose Refrigerator could be on the list, but for our lucky selves, that's a given and not a luxury. I'm fully aware many people get by with none of these.

4. Cast Iron Skillet.

Safe, sturdy, non stick. I can cook anything in one; eggs, bacon, pancakes, quiche, roasts, burgers, veggies, even cakes and granola. I keep my skillet out at all times on my stove top, ready to go.

5. French Press. Not really a coffee drinker but I occasionally indulge. I use the press for other nourishment.

It's great for making traditional black or green tea, especially in larger amounts for my family. This is often turned into iced tea or kombucha. I also use it for herbal tisanes: hibiscus, chamomile, peppermint, or lemon balm.

These are great for every day health and refreshment, warm or cold. French presses are also great for brewed chocolate, dandelion and chicory blends.

6. Freezer. An extra chest freezer allows for financial savings by helping me to take advantage of bulk purchases at a discount or bring home surprising produce finds. It allows for time savings by providing me a way to prepare meals in advance and cook them later when time is at a premium. It also allows me to enjoy the occasional off-season treat when the mood strikes me. It is one of the major ways I maximize my food budget.

7. Cheaters. Every mom needs cheaters, hidden away in her kitchen. They allow for sudden schedule changes and unexpected playdates. They allow for a lapse in planning.

Every family's cheaters are different. They may include jarred pasta sauce, cans of soup, frozen pizza or tortilla chips for impromptu nachos. You will rarely find my cupboard without at least one box of macaroni and cheese!

Whether you are a mom, a dad, a grandparent, aunt or uncle or anyone running a home of any size, you're bound to get caught up in the drudgery of daily tasks. So just remember all of our handy tools and when even those can't help us get dinner on the table on time, remember the blessing of the Co-op's deli and carry-out!

co-op news

May 2014 6

LA MONTANITA FUND

BLUNT BROTHERS COFFEE COMPANY

BY JAKE GARRITY hen I first moved to Gallup twenty years ago, finding a natural food grocery store and a good cup of Joe was, needless to say, more than difficult. For the last ten years, La Montanita has filled the first void and the coffee scene here in Gallup has greatly improved. Most notably, Blunt Brothers Coffee Company has shaken up the caffeine hierarchy here in the last two years. This small but mighty company originated in Gallup. They roast their own coffee and have a popular drivethrough coffee shop. Casual conversational surveys have anointed Blunt Brothers the best tasting cup of coffee in town. This small company has also had an ongoing relationship with Gallup’s La Montanita. Blunt Brothers purchases all of its dairy products from the Co-op and sells its different coffee blends wholesale to Gallup’s store. This association has taken on a new significance the last couple of months since the owner of the company took advantage of a micro loan from the La Montanita FUND.

SUCCESS!

(Rasband Dairy), but also takes advantage of local produce and local eggs from Gallup. Blunt Brothers makes herculean efforts in recycling, and the company has future plans to maximize natural energy

W

Even though Blunt Brothers is only two years new, this microloan has allowed Dave Rodriguez, the owner, to expand his business into Albuquerque, via the Blunt Brothers’ Blunt mobile. Blunt Brothers has also increased the number of their different coffee blends in La Montanita’s Gallup store, now occupying an entire row. Blunt Brothers has been able to expand the non-coffee selections at the drive-through store by offering Gallup’s own Crumby Bread products, locally baked by Josh Kanter. Fresh Crumby organic bread and pastry products are also available at Gallup’s store.

Blunt Brothers Coffee Company is committed to certified organic products. The company not only utilizes local Albuquerque dairy products

GROWING THE LOCAL ECONOMY

resources. Dave Rodriguez explained to me that his microloan from La Montanita Fund will eventually permit his company to have 3 to 4 electric coffee roasters in an Albuquerque warehouse powered by solar panels. He hopes to be totally off grid at this future Albuquerque location within the next five years. Blunt Brothers Company only uses Fair Trade organic beans. Part of the company's mission is to support only non-slave labor and this commitment goes even to the company employee's uniforms, which are only purchased from companies producing American-made clothing. Blunt Brothers does not utilize any GMO products. Their company truly attempts to change the world one cup at a time.

The owner of Blunt Brothers stated he could recommend La Montanita FUND to other small businesses based on his initial loan experiences. Dave Rodriguez related that dealing with La Montanita and the Credit Union was by far easier than having to negotiate for a traditional bank loan. He mentioned how inviting the atmosphere was, in all of his interactions, and that he was not intimidated in the least compared to a banking experience. Dave Rodriguez said that his microloan from La Montanita FUND has allowed his company to triple his wholesale sales in Gallup within the last two months; permitted him to offer his customers a better variety of coffee products; encouraged him to expand personnel; and given him the extra time to experiment with his product in order to meet future customer demands.

La Montanita Fund has allowed for the fusion of cooperation between Blunt Brothers Coffee, La Montanita's Gallup store, Crumby Bread Company, Work in Beauty produce, and local egg providers. La Montanita FUND is producing a true local economy with regional ties when factoring in Blunt Brothers’ expansion into Albuquerque, La Montanita's CDC, and other La Montanita resources.

Blunt Brothers is well on its way to being another success story in the three-year history of La Montanita FUND.

membership is

O W N E R S H I P!

BUILDING THE LOCAL

FOODSHED

DOWN AND DAIRY!

SARAH WENTZEL-FISHER ay is a time of motherhood, which means many of the bovidae family, including goats and cows, are having babies and producing large amounts of milk.

Spring is a time of abundance in dairies, both in welcoming new members to the herd, as well as a time of serious lactation.

BY

M

Did you know that New Mexico is one of the leading dairy producing states in the union? While much of this milk is produced in very large dairies to be shipped all over the country, many of the producers the Co-op works with operate family owned, medium and small sized dairies.

Currently the Co-op Distribution Center works with a number of dairy producers. As a reminder, here’s a brief profile of a number of the family operations we support.

Old Windmill Dairy, Estancia – Their premier artisan cheeses start with high quality fresh milk. To ensure the quality of the milk OWD animals are

fed premium alfalfa, grain, molasses, silage, whey and have room to graze on high desert plants. In the growing season they receive additional treats such as lettuces and other greens that come from the local farmers’ market.

The herd is treated with love, respect and kindness, which means they do not receive hormones such as RBST. OWD goats produce creamy fresh milk, which is collected daily in pasteurizers and then handcrafted into cheese. www.theoldwindmilldairy.com Freanna Yoghurt, Clovis – This yoghurt has a deliciously fresh, light and pure taste. Freanna Yoghurt is a perfect base for smoothies, breakfast or a snack with cereal, granola or fruit because it is thinner than most yoghurts. It truly is an all-natural, pure, yoghurt—no

GOOD NEWS!

thickeners are added. Freanna Yoghurt is made only from whole milk and a blend of live and active probiotics and yoghurt cultures, including thermophiles, bulgaricus, acidophilus, and bifidobacterium lactis. This premium quality stir yoghurt is a rich source of calcium and protein, and contains no artificial additives, preservatives, or high fructose corn syrup.

Tucumcari Cheese, Tucumcari – Started in 1995 by fourth generation cheese maker Chuck Krause, the company has grown from producing just feta to offering a wide variety of cheeses, including cheddar, romano, muenster, and their ever popular pepper jack.

Rasband Milk, South Valley of Albuquerque Rasband Milk is all-natural, nothing is added.

Neither growth nor milk hormones, such as rBGH, are ever given to Rasband cows.

PROGRAMS THAT MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES STRONGER

E

very time I open a newspaper, listen to the news or look at articles online, the theme is usually “bad news.” In 1983 Anne Murray released a song called A Little Good News. While this song spoke to that era, it is still relevant today. My goal is to bring you a little good news! This good news is all the programs that have been created by your Co-op to make our communities stronger. The programs you see below are only a small sampling of the Coop’s commitment to the cooperative principle of concern for community.

While October 6, 2010, was the official starting date of LaM FUND, the idea and development of this program was a year of work. The idea was simple; pool investments from Co-op members to collateralize loans to farmers and producers in New Mexico; the structure is complex. Our Co-op is fortunate that we have talented people willing to give their time and expertise to help LaM FUND become a reality. LaM FUND has many success stories and continues to grow.

Veteran Farmer Project: The Veteran Farmer Project is a coopCDC (Cooperative Distribution erative collaboration between La Center)/Foodshed: Montanita, Downtown Action Team, Started in 2007 with just an idea and small and the NM Department of Agriwarehouse, the CDC/Foodshed project culture. This program provides a therserves our local producers and has been the THE INSIDE SCOOP apeutic garden space to veterans to catalyst for many of them to grow and learn to grow fresh produce. This proexpand their operations. We deliver to many gram has required commitment and work by our memsmall business that otherwise would have a difficult time bership staff to keep it moving forward and to keep it receiving product, including our own Gallup store. an attractive option for Veterans. This project started Several years ago we moved from our small 7,000 square with two simple elements; we heard of a similar profoot warehouse to our now almost 18,000 square foot gram and asked the question, “what would happen if warehouse with the awareness that we had to accelerate we started such a program here?” our local food system quickly for this new space to be cost effective. Our staff, led by Michelle Franklin, have Every time you, our members, shop at our stores, part done just that. Michelle and her staff have put in much of your money goes to support these and the many effort and can take great pride in where we are today. other programs that La Montanita has created and participates in; your dollars stay in New Mexico and La Montanita Funds: help to not only share a little “good news” but to creOn October 6, 2010, the New Mexico State Securities ate a little good news. Please contact me anytime Division approved LaM FUND’s grassroots investing with comments, concerns or to share your good program that we now offer to all Co-op members who news. I can be reached by phone at 505-217-2020 want to support the growth of our local food system or by e-mail at terryb@lamontanita.coop. Thanks and strengthen our local economy. for your ongoing support of La Montanita.

-Terry Bowling

GENERAL MANAGER’S COLUMN terryb@lamontanita.coop

co-op news

May 2014 7

CLEAN IT UP FOR MOM BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFT!

By Sarah Wentzel-Fisher hat your mom really wants for Mother’s Day is a clean house that she didn’t have a hand in making spic and span. What better way to tell her you love her than by not only cleaning up, but doing it with safe, homemade cleaning products. The Co-op carries a wide variety of great cleaning products that are free of the harsh synthetic chemicals of conventional cleaners, but here are a few you can make yourself out of off-the-shelf ingredients you can also find at the Co-op.

W

DISH SOAP Prep: 2 minutes/yield 16 ounces 2/3 cup liquid castile soap 3 teaspoons vegetable glycerin 5 drops tea tree essential oil 20 drops lemon essential oil 1 1/3 cups water Using a funnel, pour soap, glycerin, tea tree oil, lemon oil and water into a recycled dish soap bottle.

Shake well to emulsify. Use on your dishes, or other miscellaneous cleaning.

TOILET BOWL CLEANER Prep: 2 minutes/yield: 1 cup (enough for 1 use) 1/2 cup baking soda 10 drops tea tree essential oil 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar Pour baking soda directly into the toilet bowl, add oil, then vinegar—in that order. Let water effervesce for several minutes, then scrub bowl with brush. Flush.

ANTIBACTERIAL SPRAY Prep: 2 minutes/yield: 18 ounces (a 2- to 3-month supply)

2 cups water 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap 1 tablespoon white thyme essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil Using a funnel, pour water, soap and oils into a 24-ounce spray bottle. Shake. Spray and let sit for 20 minutes. Wipe down surfaces with damp cloth.

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER Prep: 5 minutes/yield: approximately 24 ounces 1 teaspoon washing soda 2 teaspoons borax 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar 2 1/2 cups hot water 5 drops lavender essential oil 7 drops lemon essential oil 1/4 cup liquid castile soap Put on gloves. Using a funnel, pour washing soda, borax, vinegar, water and oils into 24-ounce spray bottle. Shake well, add soap and shake again. Spray on walls, countertops and other surfaces. Wipe with damp sponge.

FURNITURE POLISH Prep: 1 1/2 minutes/yield: 3 ounces 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar 1/4 teaspoon lemon oil (or fresh lemon juice) Using funnel, pour olive oil, vinegar and lemon oil into a small squirt bottle. Shake well to emulsify.

Squirt polish onto microfiber cloth and rub onto finished-wood furniture. Always go with the grain and evenly distribute polish. Remove any excess polish with a clean cloth.

May Calendar

of Events 5/15 Veteran Farmer Project: PACKING FOR WHOLESALE, 3pm. See page 3 5/20 BOD Meeting, Immanuel Church, 5:30pm 5/24 Santa Fe Co-op, BBQ and Fundraiser Memorial Weekend. See page 1 See back cover for Westside location events!

CO-OPS: A Solution-Based System A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.

nurturing

mom

May 2014 10

a vegan, gluten-free

Mother’s DAY brunch

ADRIENNE WEISS, a committed Co-op volunteer and fantastic home chef, provided us these recipes for a wonderful vegan, gluten-free Mother’s Day brunch. Save the cheese for the family photos, and make sure your mom eats like a queen.

TOFU CHILAQUILES This is a tasty spin on the traditional Mexican dish made with scrambled eggs. Tofu, enriched with "cheesy" nutritional yeast, flavorful spices and a medley of vegetables, makes this a healthy, delicious brunch entrée with a real kick! Serves: 4/Prep time: 55 minutes.

Chilaquiles 6 corn tortillas 1 sweet potato, diced small 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 tablespoons tamari 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 6 scallions, finely chopped 1 14-ounce package firm tofu 1/4 cup nutritional yeast 1 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon marjoram 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1 medium poblano pepper, finely chopped 1 medium red pepper, finely chopped 1 cup crimini mushrooms, thinly sliced 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped Garnish 1/2 cup salsa Avocado Cilantro Lime wedges

Heat oven to 350ºF. Cut tortillas in half and each half into approximately 1/2-inch strips. Bake on lightly oiled sheet for 10 minutes until crisp. Remove from oven and set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet. Add diced sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon each chili powder and tamari. Stir and sauté for approximately 15 minutes, until tender. Remove from stove and set aside. In same skillet, sauté garlic in remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add scallions and cook until translucent.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mash tofu and combine with nutritional yeast, turmeric, marjoram, basil, cumin and remaining tablespoon chili powder. Add mixture to skillet. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add both poblano and red pepper, mushrooms, spinach and remaining tablespoon tamari.

Continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Add salsa and blend well. Add sweet potatoes and tortilla strips.

Mix all ingredients together and serve. Garnish with avocado slices, cilantro and lime wedges.

VEGAN CHIPOTLE SAUSAGE HASH from Isa Chandra Moskowitz The beauty of hash is that everything comes together in one big pan! The many textures makes this spur-ofthe-moment meal interesting. The smoky and spicy flavor, with a hint of lime juice to brighten it up, give this dish a great punch. The tahini sauce and chopped avocado add a creaminess in the absence of an egg.

Serves: 4/Prep Time: 45 minutes.

Hash 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced into 1/2-inch pieces 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 small onion, finely diced 4 vegan sausages of choice (preferably “Field Roast” or "Tofurkey") cut into 1/2-inch slices 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro plus extra for garnish 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 cup chipotles in adobo sauce, seeded and finely chopped (sold in 7-ounce can) 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 avocado 3 scallions, finely chopped (optional)

nurturing

mom

Cook 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add potatoes and salt. Cover pot and cook approximately 15 minutes, flipping potatoes often until lightly browned. They should be edible, but still very firm. Meanwhile, make dressing while potatoes cook.

Uncover pot and with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, add onion and cook for 5 minutes, tossing frequently, until softened. Add sausages, cilantro, oregano and curry and cook for 10 minutes or more, to allow sausages to brown and heat through. Add chipotles and cook to integrate flavors and make sure potatoes are tender. Toss with lime juice and adjust salt and seasonings to taste.

When ready to serve, pour dressing over top of hash and garnish with chopped avocado, cilantro and/or scallions.

Tahini Dressing 1 clove garlic 1/4 cup tahini 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast 2 tablespoons mellow white miso 1/2 to 3/4 cup water Add all ingredients to blender or food processor and purée until smooth. Start with 1/2 cup water and adjust accordingly to obtain desired consistency. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

BANANA RABANADA (Brazilian French Toast) Rabanada is a traditional Brazilian dish. This recipe is quick and easy, but the bread does need to soak in the custard for 20 minutes. Keep this in mind when planning your brunch. Serves: 6/Prep Time: 45 minutes.

May 2014 11

2 1 1 1

very ripe bananas 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 cups almond milk or non-dairy milk of choice 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1-to 2-day old baguette, sliced diagonally in 1-inch pieces, or sliced bread Several tablespoons vegetable oil Sliced strawberries and bananas Maple syrup or agave (optional) Vegan margarine (optional) If all you have is fresh bread, leave slices out overnight or put them in a 300º oven for about 10 minutes to dry them out until they are slightly hardened, but not browned. Combine cocoa, cinnamon (reserving 1/2 teaspoon each for topping), bananas, milk, cornstarch and vanilla in a blender or food processor until smooth. Spread bread slices in a single layer in a shallow baking pan or large bowl. Pour banana mixture over the bread, coating thoroughly, flipping slices to do so. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Preheat a large, nonstick skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat. Add enough oil to create a thin layer on the bottom (a tablespoon or two). Cook half the soaked bread for about 5 to 7 minutes on one side and about 3 minutes on the other side. When ready, the toast should be golden to medium brown and flecked with darker spots. Keep warm on a covered platter while cooking second batch.

If not serving immediately, place in a 200ºF oven for up to an hour. When ready to serve, combine 1/2 teaspoon cocoa with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and using a sifter, lightly dust each serving. Serve with fresh, sliced strawberries and bananas. If desired, top with maple syrup or agave and/or vegan margarine.

the best

FLOWERS FOR

MOM!

GET FAIR TRADE FLOWERS at your favorite CO-OP! Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11th

Mary Alice Cooper, MD

for MOM

SPRING greens...

Shop your Co-op!

farming &

gardening TRADITIONAL WISDOM FOR

May 2014 12

TRUE EFFICIENCY

WATERWISE gardening in

the highly anticipated book The Wisdom of Land, The Knowledge of Water due later this year) pointed out that since drip irrigation must run every day, new parciantes (acequia users) demand a share of the water every day. That’s just not how acequia culture works.

Water is parceled out weekly to different users along the ditch at different times and durations depending on acreage and need. No one gets what they want when they want it, but everyone gets what is good for the whole community. This teaches cooperation, participation and especially patience, all of which are always in short supply among us humans and never outdated.

DROUGHT CONDITIONS

BY BRETT BAKKER hen the topic of waterwise farming comes up, so invariably does drip irrigation. Put water exactly where you need it, the argument goes, and little if any evaporates, ensuring maximum use. A fair enough argument, I suppose, not counting the fact that if your system fails, your plants’ roots have been too busy getting a cool drink near the surface, ergo, they have not been trained to delve deeply, or to tolerate any delay or shortage of water. That’s more than enough con than pro for me. But, as they say on “teevee,” wait, there’s more!

W

What’s the cost for drip? I don’t mean the hundred bucks you have to spend at the local garden store (that’s beyond reach for some folks, don’t forget) but the true costs, including: energy, fuel and emissions to extract the oil and run the factory to manufacture the plastic drip line.

Plus a pump or pressurized water source (which also takes energy to make and run). And that’s just the bare bones basics. What about pressure regulators, filters, backflow preventers… more stuff! And oil to fuel the machines to make the stuff. And so on.

Compare our traditional acequias, the irrigation ditches. They too require infrastructure: energy for materials and building of diversion dams and headgates. If made well, this is done once and will last longer than drip lines which will end up at the landfill in a few years. After that, all you need is a shovel and manpower. The standard arguments against flood irrigation abound: Outdated! Wasteful! Evaporation!

Empties the river!

groundwater (33%). This can happen in as little as six to ten weeks, but water can also filter slowly through the soil for up to three months. In effect, the water is being stored underground (where it also benefits soil microorganisms and hydrates deeprooted plants).

There’s always more than numbers. Recently at the KiMo Theater series Water Crisis in the West: Thinking Like a Watershed (ongoing through June and free! www.kimotickets.com/event/162798), I heard an old acquaintance/hero speak. Embudo, New Mexico, native Estevan Arellano (author of

Ditches lined with concrete were built to slow the movement of water into the surrounding soil and bypass the labor of cleaning and weeding the acequia.

Besides halting the benefit of the underground movement of water, this also broke down annual acequia cleaning events that involved the whole village with a sense of solidarity and purpose, as well as communal feasts of chile stew at the end of the day.

Village elders will tell you that the acequias used to be lined with purposefully planted multiuse crops. Fruit trees, wild plums or cherries. Yerbas (herbs) used as food, beverage or medicine. In effect, the acequias were long, narrow winding oases with cottonwoods for shading the water, people and livestock as well as providing a cool, fresh drink for the cows or sheep. This sounds like true efficiency in action to me.

The Arboretum Tomé Empties the river? Yeah, it does. But pumping water from the ground empties the aquifers that the rivers fill. Or if it’s a “fossil” aquifer, there’s little to no regeneration so you’re gonna run out of water anyway. As small as they are, rivers are our only renewable water resource here in the high desert. If done correctly in good clay and organic matter-rich soils, deep flood watering need be done only once a week, even less as your crops near maturity.

Evaporation? Since 2009, research headed by Sam Fernald—water management specialist at NMSU —shows that just 7% of acequia water is used by crops and by evaporation/transpiration. The rest returns to the river through surface run-off (60%) or movement as

Enjoy the Trees That Please Nursery and the Arboretum Tomé’s Annual Open House and Garden Party on May 31.

The Arboretum Tomé is a private collection of rare trees endemic to the desert developed by Michael Martin Melendrez. The collection includes many tree species from all over the world, including Redwoods, Giant Timber Bamboo, Maples, and a Western native sugar maple called the Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum). Michael has spent the last 26 years using biological restoration techniques on the native soils of this site, formerly toxic saline

G A R D E N PA RT Y

AND OPEN HOUSE

sodic alkaline clay. Come see what he has learned and apply it to your home garden landscape.

Talks and Discussions between 10am-12:30pm. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy live music in the afternoon shade!

Representatives from local plant and garden clubs, wildlife and wetland projects, farmers’ market staff, and others will be on hand. Free parking and admission!!

More information call 505-866-5027 or email: treesthat please@comcast.net. Arboretum Tomé is located at 3084 NM Hwy 47, Los Lunas, NM 87031. For directions go to www.treesthatplease.org.

MAY 31 9:30AM-4:30PM

aqua es

vida

May 2014 13

PROTECT

MAY DAY! MAY DAY!

ACTION ALERT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL

HEALTH! THERE ARE TION, HERE

ALWAYS SO MANY DEMANDS ON OUR ATTENARE FOUR ISSUES THAT COULD USE YOUR HELP.

BY MICHAEL JENSEN, AMIGOS BRAVOS, MIDDLE RIO GRANDE PROJECTS DIRECTOR Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Radiation Leak Experts assured the public that the WIPP site would securely hold stored nuclear waste for at least 10,000 years. On February 5, a truck delivering inside the repository caught fire and on February 14 a larger radiation leak escaped to the outside, exposing 21 workers on the surface. Coincidentally, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) was approving a plan to open the WIPP site to more (and more potent) categories of nuclear waste. Six weeks after the accidents, inspectors were just beginning to re-enter the mine and it isn’t clear how much they will be able to investigate. Some speculate that there was a roof collapse, possibly related to nearby fracking activity, which is cited as the cause of an elevated number of quakes in the region.

You can contact the Department of Energy (DOE) WIPP Information Center and tell them not to expand the mission of the existing facility nor create another facility with an expanded mission in the vicinity: 800-336-WIPP (9477) / infocntr@wipp.ws.

MORE INFORMATION:

bit.ly/1qV1gRo • bit.ly/1ha5I7H Illegal Copper Rule In 2009, the New Mexico Legislature mandated that the NMED develop industry-specific rules to prevent water pollution and protect water quality from groundwater discharges by the dairy and copper mining industries.

NMED put together an advisory committee of representatives from copper mining company FreeportMcMoRan, public interest groups, and technical experts to write a draft copper rule.

NMED's upper management overruled the recommendations of the advisory committee and its own staff and submitted a draft copper rule that would allow copper mine operators to pollute groundwater beneath their facilities.

Take

Action for New Mexico!

NMED's technical staff did not attend the hearing to testify on the draft rule. The Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) approved the rule and accepted the Proposed Statement of Reasons submitted by NMED, which was written with substantial help from FreeportMcMoRan. Currently there is a total of over 20,000 acres, about 31 square miles, of polluted ground water at Freeport’s three mines. The new Copper Rule basically writes off this area as a sacrifice zone.

The rule explicitly allows pollution of groundwater, which is illegal under the state Water Quality Act, which requires the WQCC to adopt regulations that prevent or abate water pollution. NM Environmental Law Center (NMELC), Gila Resources Information Center (GRIP), and Amigos Bravos have appealed the decision to the State Court of Appeals.

The Court could take a year or more to make a decision.

MORE INFORMATION:

PRECIOUS WATER SUPPLIES

In January 2011, Governor Martinez tried to block the new rule but environmental organizations sued and the court told her to enforce the rule.

Industry then appealed the rule and the court ordered the stakeholders to re-negotiate, which led to a new compromise dairy rule. All parties explicitly stated that they supported the new rule, which went into effect in January 2012. Industry immediately began private discussions with NMED’s senior staff about re-writing the rule they had stipulated was acceptable.

The dairy industry now wants the same exemption from pollution discharge regulation that the copper industry has been given. The NMELC, Sierra Club, Amigos Bravos, and several citizens have been working together to oppose this move. The NMED has suspended enforcement of the dairy rule and stopped issuing new or renewal dairy pollution control permits until after the rule-making hearing, which has been postponed repeatedly and is now scheduled for November of 2014.

Gila River Diversion Plan The Gila River was listed in April as one of America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2014 due to the threat of a new water diversion. This is the result of a complex agreement regarding water rights of Arizona Native nations—the Arizona Water Settlement Act (AWSA)—that provides funds to southwestern NM counties to meet water supply needs. The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) is evaluating three diversion projects and 12 nondiversion projects, but it is clear they prefer the diversion projects.

Sportsmen, business, faith-based, recreation and conservation groups have criticized the project because it makes no economic sense and impacts recreation and tourism supported by the Gila River. The Gila supports more than 300 species of birds and wildlife and is NM’s last major wild river.

Experts have shown that the diversion is fatally flawed because of engineering deficiencies and the large loss of water to leakage and evaporation.

The cost of the diversion has risen far above the maximum federal support, putting taxpayers on the hook for $200-$350 million. In testimony to the Legislature, the Grant County Planner stated that several water investment companies want to create a water management association that would combine AWSA money with other public funding to essentially privatize the water supply.

bit.ly/1gH3kG2 • bit.ly/1faHe2K Dairy Rule Amendments In addition to copper mining, the NM Legislature ordered new rules for groundwater discharges by the dairy industry. The NMED began holding public meetings and industry went to court to block them and lost. The NMED developed a draft dairy rule based on the fact that at least 2/3 of all dairies had already violated groundwater quality standards; industry complained. NMED set up stakeholder meetings with technical staff, industry and environmental groups, and industry dragged them out. A compromise dairy rule was submitted to the Richardson administration’s WQCC and approved in December 2010.

On the other hand, conservation measures have already stabilized demand in the area and the non-diversion alternatives will protect the Gila, build resilience for local water supplies, and save the state millions of dollars.

Tell the ISC that New Mexico should focus on water conservation and that the Gila River should remain a free-flowing river: bit.ly/1ha7pC0.

MORE INFORMATION:

Gila Conservation Coalition, www.gilaconservation.org info@gilaconservation.org To help Amigos Bravos continue their important statewide work, go to: www.amigosbravos.org.

PUBLIC HEARING ON SANDIA LABS HAZARDOUS

WASTE PERMIT

If water contaminated with TCE reaches our drinking water wells, birth defects can be expected to increase. Sadly, New Mexico and Bernalillo County already suffer from elevated birth death rates, according to the Department of Health.

Speak Out for the Children May 6!

BY JANET GREENWALD n the evening of May 6, the public will have an opportunity to speak out against unchecked pollution of our air and water by Sandia National Laboratories. This public hearing will be held in conjunction with the State of New Mexico’s process of renewing the permit for hazardous waste activities at Sandia National Laboratories. Members of the community will also be able to voice their opinions during the daytime part of the hearings on May 5, May 6 and May 7.

O

Information on the existing and future contamination from the hazardous materials activities at Sandia National Labs includes: The latest Annual Sandia Labs Groundwater Monitoring Report shows that the amount of contaminants of concern at Tijeras Arroyo (TAG), including trichloroethylene (TCE) and nitrate, continues to exceed applicable groundwater protection standards and, at most groundwater sampling sites, is rising above levels previously detected.

YOU MIGHT ASK: What is the extent of TAG contamination? Is this a small problem or a large one?

The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry Toxilogical profile for TCE states that, “More and more studies suggest that more birth defects may occur when mothers drink water containing TCE.” At Tijeras Arroyo, where TCE is a contaminant of concern, according to SNL, (2009b, p 6-20), 1.3 billion gallons of contaminants have entered Albuquerque's drinking water aquifer.

Sandia National Laboratories and the New Mexico Environment Department must put the contamination at Tijeras Arroyo on their front burners; this contamination is a serious threat to unborn children and immune compromised people who are already experiencing health effects. SNL and NMED must move forward as quickly as possible toward a “corrective measures evaluation” and remediation of TCE and other contamination of Albuquerque's aquifer.

Thanks to Paul Robinson for providing much of the information used in the sample testimony included in this article.

HAZARDOUS WASTE PERMIT IN ABQ MAY

6:

PUBLIC

HEARINGS

The Public hearings on the Sandia National Labs Hazardous Waste Permit will be held at the Hotel Cascada located at 2500 Carlisle Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, beginning Monday, May 5, at 9am and continuing as necessary through Friday, May 16, though there is a good chance that daytime hearings will only continue through Wednesday, May 7.

On May 6 the public may come to speak at any time during the day beginning at 9am or in the evening after the afternoon break starting at 6pm. Please come a bit early to make sure you get on the schedule to voice your concerns.

For more information, call 505-242-5511.

action alert!

For more info go to: contactus@cardnm.org

community forum

May 2014 14

ALL ABOARD!

THE 16TH ANNUAL

NEW ALBUQUERQUE RAIL YARDS

ALBUQUERQUE FOLK

MARKET

FESTIVAL

COMMUNITY CENTER AT BARRELAS HISTORIC SITE

LOW PRICES! FREE PARKING! FREE CAMPING! FREE ADMITTANCE TO THE BALLOON MUSEUM!

On Sunday, May 4, the Rail Yards Market welcomes the community back to an historic site to interact with all things local. For the past few months, over 50 entrepreneurs, artists, chefs, musicians, dancers and community enthusiasts have come together to volunteer their ideas, talents, passions and hard work to create an all-inclusive community-driven space in the heart of Barrelas.

Tim O'Brien with Darrell Scott, Birds of Chicago, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Spencer and Rains, Canote Brothers, and Tina Gugeler have all been invited to perform at the 16th Annual Albuquerque Folk Festival, which presents 100 non-stop events at 14 different venues at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum on Saturday, June 7, from 10:30am to 11pm.

Other New Mexican and regional performers include The Rifters from Taos, cowboy singer-songwriter Steve Cormier, Felix y los Gatos, Wildewood, the Porter Draw, Breaking Blue, Schlomo and the Adobes (Adobe Brothers). Claire Lynch, twice nominated for the Grammy, is headliner along with Holy Water and Whiskey at a fundraising kick-off concert Friday evening at the Museum.

Designed to be fully participatory and family-oriented, the Festival presents a myriad of opportunities to learn how to sing, dance, play instruments, to jam with other musicians, and simply enjoy the extensive variety of entertainment offerings. A children’s instrument petting zoo, and participatory workshops in song, play, dance, and storytelling, offer a full day for the entire family. In 2010, the sing-along was inaugurated with a tribute to Pete Seeger. With his passing this year, the sing-along will honor his participatory joyful sharing of song. Local vendors will be available with food and beverages, including coffee and beer from local breweries.

Saturday evening dances include a barn dance and a contradance. The Barn Dance Under the Stars features the Rifters from Taos (hosted by Albuquerque Dance Club, ADC). The contradance (hosted by FolkMADS) features the award-winning Albuquerque MegaBand. Dance is taught and called by a FolkMADS dance caller.

This year the Folk Fest is at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113.

WEEKLY STARTING MAY 4

Turn north off Alameda. There is FREE parking and free camping with jamming on Friday night, June 6, through noon on Sunday, June 8.

For tickets and more information go to www.abqfolkfest.org (www.abqfolkfest.org), or call 505-301-2822.

Gate price donates $1 to Project Share, a 30-year-old ABQ nonprofit organization serving home cooked meals to the hungry and homeless, including many families with children. The Albuquerque Folk Festival is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(2) public charity, made possible in part by New Mexico Arts, City of Albuquerque Cultural Services Department; Bernalillo County, Community Services Division; and the Folk Music and Dance Society (FolkMADS).

The Rail Yards Market will be held each Sunday, May 4 through November 2, from 9am-3pm. For 27 incredible weeks, you will have the opportunity to engage with community members, local farmers will bring their produce, chefs will provide mouthwatering regional foods, artisans will offer handcrafted creations, vibrant performances, live music and there will be educational learning and family activities in a safe and vibrant community gathering place.

The Rail Yards Market will be held every Sunday at First Street and Hazeldine in the Old Blacksmith Shop. There is plenty of free parking. Come to this fun, educational and delicious community event.

To get involved as a sponsor, vendor, volunteer, performer or artisan e-mail: railyardsmarket@gmail.com.

folk fest

JUNE

7th

FREE PUBLIC

LECTURE:

CONNECTING PEOPLE AND PLACES • LIVABLE, WALKABLE SANTA FE! • With DAN BURDEN and

ROBERT PING MAY 14, 6PM

WHERE: SANTA FE CONVENTION CENTER Creative Santa Fe and the Metropolitan Planning Organization present a public lecture and discussion with Dan Burden and Robert Ping of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute. This public talk is a continuation of Creative Santa Fe’s CONNECT and Walk initiatives—demonstrating simple, affordable, and practical solutions to increasing walkability, bikeability, and livability in Santa Fe.

community forum OUTDOOR FUN FOR KIDS!

FARM

SUMMER FARM CAMP

invisible ink, and trick their taste buds into tasting sweet when they’ve really consumed something sour by using miraculin (derived from West Africa’s miracle fruit). It will be a week these campers will never forget!

BY JULIE

HIRSHFIELD he Village of Los Ranchos is proud to announce the third season of Summer Farm Camp at the Los Ranchos Agri-Nature Center.

We invite children currently enrolled in grades K-5 to join us June 2-27 for a summer of outdoor fun and learning.

Campers will experience the connections between growing and eating healthy foods and taking care of our bodies and our land.

June 16-20: Lotions and Potions Camp Campers will spend the week learning how natural materials, such as lavender, almond oil and beeswax can be used to make sweetsmelling lotions, lip balms, sunscreen bars and insect repellents! Campers will make an “upcycled” t-shirt or jeans tote bag to carry their homemade goodies home on the final day of camp!

T

After a daily morning message, we will prepare a healthy snack and get our bodies moving with yoga poses and fun exercises.

Each day of Farm Camp, campers will participate in the process of raising vegetables, herbs and flowers; from soil preparation, direct seeding and transplanting, to watering, weeding, harvesting and, of course, cooking and eating the “fruits of their labor!”

Campers will get down and dirty in our vegetable gardens as they explore how a seed turns into a tomato plant and investigate the insects and other pollinators that live amongst the plants and weeds.

They will visit with and learn about farm animals, bake in a solar oven, and learn about the North Valley’s unique ecosystem.

Each day will include rest and relaxation with stories after lunch, and we’ll mix up the afternoons with theme-specific activities, games, cooking and art!

The 2014 Summer Farm Camp offers four choices of camp themes, including Nature Art and Crafts Camp, Food Science Fun Camp, Lotions and Potions Camp, and Taco Camp. You may register for all, one, or a combination of sessions.

BOOK REVIEW

Farm-Fresh and Fast: Easy Recipes and Tips for Making the Most of Fresh, Seasonal Foods

By FairShare CSA Coalition, 2013 REVIEWED BY ANN ADAMS ith the growing season already in full swing in much of the state, I have been thinking about the expanded palette of fruits and vegetables to turn into meals. Recently I came across Farm-Fresh and Fast: Easy Recipes and Tips for Making the Most of Fresh, Seasonal Foods and got even more excited about the meals I could make.

W

This book was written by the FairShare CSA Coalition out of Madison, Wisconsin, with the idea of helping their CSA members and folks who like fresh, seasonal food create great meals in a reasonable amount of time. In fact, the dedication for the book reads: “This book is a labor of love and, as such, is dedicated to the farmers in our community who labor over and love our food and land, and the eaters who love our farmers and the scrumptious food they produce.” If you have that sentiment about food and farming, then this book is for you.

FOOD FUN!

May 2014 15

June 2-6: Nature Art and Crafts Camp Campers will spend the week foraging for interesting items around the property and creating beautiful nature-based art and crafts. They will use vegetables to dye homemade chalk, create painted masterpieces using dirt, use “found” items to use as weaving looms, and make beautiful journals with handmade paper. Campers will curate an art show and invite their families and friends to celebrate their artistic accomplishments (complete with homemade food and drinks!) on the final day of camp.

June 9-13: Food Science Fun Camp Campers will enter the fascinating world of FOOD SCIENCE! They will have firsthand opportunities to witness the magical appeal of basic physics and chemistry in the KITCHEN! Campers will make rock crystal candy, sample and culture bacteria from the kitchen and their hands, create chocolate slime, develop homemade

June 23-27: Taco Camp Campers will spend the week learning how every part of a taco is made; they will grind corn and hand make tortillas, harvest tomatoes and peppers to make salsa, try their hands at making homemade cheese, and create tasty guacamole. Campers will assemble a taco bar on the final day of camp and invite their families to join them at our New Mexican fiesta!

SPACE IS LIMITED. REGISTER TODAY! For additional information and registration forms, please visit www.losranchosnm.gov and click the “Community” tab. You may also call 505-344-6582 or email jhirshfield@losranchos nm.gov with questions.

FARM-FRESH will inspire you with a multitude of QUICK AND EASY RECIPES to tempt your palate!

Farm-Fresh is laid out in an easy to read format, and the book is divided into the different types of anatomies, such as roots, stalks, kernels, pods, crowns, buds, etc. There is a little background on each vegetable or fruit in case you aren’t familiar with them as well as how to store and use them (eat raw, steamed, braised, or sautéed) as well as the texture and flavor.

The recipes are great because the introduction to each section explains how you can replace one vegetable with another. Some of the recipes include a selection of vegetables from which you select two for any given recipe and then experiment with mixing and matching.

Recipes vary across a fairly wide ethnic range and note whether the recipe is vegetarian or vegan. Even the recipes with meat in them have suggestions on how to make the recipe vegetarian or vegan.

So whether you are a local CSA member, plan on making the rounds at the farmers’ market, or hit the produce stand at the Co-op, Farm-Fresh will inspire you with a multitude of quick and easy recipes to tempt not only your palate, but those with more conventional taste buds.

Order from your local bookstore today.

TELL THE BLM:

KEEP FRACKING AWAY FROM

CHACO!

EDITED BY ROBIN SEYDEL he Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is gathering information and input from the public about fracking around Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Oil and gas companies proposed to drill on 17,000 acres surrounding the national park last year.

From its ancient Pueblo ruins to its starfilled evening skies, Chaco Cultural National Historical Park is a vital part of New Mexico's natural heritage. Home to the densest and most exceptional concentration of ancient Pueblos in the Southwest, Chaco Canyon National Historical Park is in the heart of the Mancos Shale gas drilling area.

T

Fracking will pollute air and water, and will mar the landscape with rigs, pipelines and the roar of thousands of truck trips. It will completely alter the nature of this historic site with its ancient pueblos that are more than a thousand years old and the sensitive ecosystem surrounding them.

Allowing the oil and gas industry to set up shop on the doorsteps of our national parks would mean turning priceless parts of our environment into industrial zones. Fracking uses billions of gallons

of fresh water, polluting it with benzene and other harmful chemicals. In a single year, fracking generated three billion gallons of toxic waste in New Mexico.

Fortunately, leases that would allow fracking of BLM land around Chaco Canyon National Historical Park have been temporarily postponed. Now is our chance to make that permanent.

Tell the Bureau of Land Management to keep fracking away from Chaco Canyon.

Environment New Mexico is a statewide, citizenbased environmental advocacy organization.

Their professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for New Mexico’s environment. Environment New Mexico draws on over 30 years of success in tackling our state's top environmental problems.

For more information and to sign the petition to keep fracking away from Chaco, go to www.environmentnewmexico.org or contact them at PO Box 40173, Albuquerque, NM 87196, 505-254-4819.